For some, Mother’s Day is a truly amazing day and one that is celebrated every single year with flowers, chocolates, breakfast in bed, that sort of thing. Many people enjoy showing their mother a lot of kindness on this day to show them just how much they are appreciated. Arguably, we should be showing our loved ones how important they are everyday, but it’s still a nice occasion to spread some more love. 

Although that’s not the case for everyone…

For many people, Mother’s Day isn’t a day that can be celebrated and it can be very difficult to get through the holiday without being reminded of their loss. And that’s not just limited to those who have lost their mothers due to them passing away, but it’s also painful for those who aren’t fortunate enough to have a good relationship with their mother. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a loving, supportive, motherly figure in their lives, and Mother’s Day can certainly bring back bad memories.

However, this year it seems to be something that is finally being acknowledged. Some companies, like Marks and Spencer, are giving customers the option of opting out of all emails related to Mother’s Day. It appears that many other brands have followed suit in order to show their respect for those who find it a difficult time. Even though we can’t avoid seeing Mother’s Day related gifts and cards in the supermarket, it’s still a step in the right direction, and it’s a decision that may help a lot of people.

So, what else can we be doing to help ourselves and others during this sensitive time? Firstly, check in on your friends or neighbours who you know might be struggling. Ask them if there’s anything that they need, even if it’s just a conversation, it might mean a lot to them to have a supportive person to turn to. 

Even though we might try to shut ourselves away and pretend that the day is simply like any other day, it can be hard when it feels like it’s often pressed in our faces. That’s why it might be a good idea to avoid social media completely. It’s difficult to see photos of happy families spending the day together, and it’s even harder when reading the long, thoughtful captions that many people share about their mothers. It’s heart-wrenching for those who are still coming to terms with their loss, and seeing these posts will only exacerbate those feelings.

As well as avoiding social media, there may be other things that you can do to make the day a little bit easier to cope with. Perhaps there is someone else who you see as a mother figure - it could be your grandmother, your mother-in-law, or even a family friend - who you would like to acknowledge instead. By sending them a card or a bunch of flowers, it might make you feel like you’re not being left out after all, and that there are still people in your life who mean a lot to you. It’s important to remember that this day doesn’t have to just be about giving love to our biological mothers, it’s about giving love to anyone who you consider an important part of your life - someone who inspires you and accepts you.

By Coralle Skye